Thursday, 8 Oct 2015

Written Answers Nos. 99-107

Genetically Modified Organisms

Questions (99)

Denis Naughten

Question:

99. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given the decision by 19 European Union states to prohibit or geographically restrict the cultivation of eight genetically modified crops awaiting European Union regulatory approval, his plans to invoke such a restriction in the whole or part of the State; the discussions he has had on this issue; the groups and persons involved; the implications for an all-island animal health regime, including for the marketing of Irish meat; the timeframe for issuing such a notice to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35144/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney)

The opt-out provisions to restrict any currently authorised/pending GMO for cultivation is provided for in Directive (EU) 2015/412 which falls within the remit of my colleague Mr. Alan Kelly TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Directive allows for Member States to effectively ban crops “during the authorisation procedure of a given GMO or during the renewal of consent/authorisation” within given timeframes. At all other times, the Directive allows for Member States to restrict or prohibit cultivation in all or part of its geographical territory provided that the Member state gives supporting reasons which include environmental policy objectives, town and country planning, land use and socioeconomic impacts.

There is no commercial cultivation of GM crops in Ireland at present. There is currently only one GMO authorised for cultivation in Europe (GM maize –MON 810). It was authorised in 1998 and is cultivated in 5 EU Member States, but is not suitable or relevant to Irish Agriculture.

Under the amending Directive (EU) 2015/412 Ireland can still exercise the right to opt out of GM cultivation with supporting reasons. Any such decision would need to take account of several factors including those relevant to the agriculture sector itself and the scientific evidence provided by the European Food Safety Authority in approving the products in question.

I understand from my Ministerial colleague that, at this juncture, it was considered that acting to restrict cultivation, where such cultivation would not occur in any case was unnecessary. It is further noted that some Member States are utilising the restriction powers under the revised Directive to extend bans which they previously had established under the so-called “safeguard clause” in the previous GMO Directive 2001/18/EC.

With regard to the marketing of meat, the opt-out provisions of Directive 2015/412 are not directly relevant. However I do not expect the decision of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to have any impact on the marketing of Irish meat which will continue to enjoy a reputation as a premium product meeting the highest standards of sustainability.

GLAS Eligibility

Questions (100)

Denis Naughten

Question:

100. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason low input permanent pasture and traditional hay meadows have been capped at 5 ha; hedge planting has been excluded from the new round of the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; 10,000 places will be made available under this round and farmers will struggle to obtain 2,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35145/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

On the basis of the plans submitted for the 27,000 applications received to date under Tranche 1 of GLAS, it is clear that we have already met or exceeded our targets for the entire RDP period for some GLAS actions. These include the Low Input Permanent Pasture action and the Planting of New Hedgerows. For this reason, it is proposed to adjust the provision for the Low Input Permanent Pasture (LIPP) action under the second tranche of GLAS, in recognition of the fact that we have already met all our targets. As things stand, over 20% of the entire budget for GLAS will be directed towards payments of this one action. However, it will still be possible to take up to 10 hectares of either LIPP or Traditional Hay Meadow as before, but the LIPP component will be limited to 5 hectares. Instead, I would like to see more farmers avail of the Traditional Hay Meadow option, which attracts the same rate of payment.

In relation to the planting of new hedgerows, I am proposing to suspend this action for Tranche 2, along with the planting of traditional orchards. Both actions have met their targets for the entire RDP, and there are concerns about the availability of planting stock. I will, however, review this for Tranche 3.

These proposed changes have been notified to the European Commission, as required, and their final response is expected very shortly.

As regards the number of places reserved for Tranche 2, I have always made it clear that the objective was to have 35,000 farmers approved into GLAS and in payment by end-2016.  As things stand, we have nearly 27,000 applications in Tranche 1 alone and I hope that the vast majority of these will be approved into the scheme.  Notwithstanding that, my intention remains to take in a full additional 10,000 in Tranche 2, which if achieved will result in the combined target for Tranches 1 and 2 being exceeded. I do not expect the changes outlined to certain actions for Tranche 2 will seriously impinge on anyone’s ability to develop an effective GLAS plan, or to draw down the optimum payment for their farm under the new scheme. On the contrary, many of these changes I intend to introduce, including those for the various bird actions, will make it much easier to draw up an effective plan at farm level.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Questions (101)

Denis Naughten

Question:

101. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the training and advice element under the beef data and genomics scheme has been tendered out in its current format; if he is aware that such a format means it will be nearly impossible for private agricultural consultants to provide such training, even though they successfully provided such training in the past under the suckler cow scheme, alongside Teagasc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35146/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme all participants will have to attend general scheme training by the end of October 2016. This training will focus on how participants can best complete the actions under the scheme, while also maximising the potential benefits which the scheme can offer to their farms. Ireland’s Rural Development Programme specifies that this training will be delivered by a training provider to be selected following an open and transparent public procurement process. The publication of this tender does not exclude any body or organisation. It is open to a body, group of individuals or organisation to submit a tender provided that all of the eligibility requirements are satisfied. All tenders submitted will be assessed for eligibility purposes and evaluated according to the criteria set out in the tender documentation.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Questions (102)

Denis Naughten

Question:

102. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the implementation of the beef data and genomics scheme, given the numbers exiting the scheme and the serious concerns expressed to his officials at Elphin mart recently (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35147/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The closing date for the Beef Data & Genomics Programme was 5 June 2015 at which point 29,531 valid applications were received for the programme. 1,519 applicants have subsequently withdrawn from the Programme, a figure which amounts to 5% of all valid applications. This withdrawal rate is in line with previous Suckler Schemes run by my Department. Indeed in recent weeks the Department has been receiving a significant number of calls from applicants looking to join the scheme. The focus has now turned to implementation of the scheme which is well underway and my Department and the ICBF are working closely with scheme participants on the various requirements. This is progressing well with over 255,000 tissue tags sent to scheme applicants to date. This leaves only 70,000 more to be sent out and the ICBF expect that these will be in the post within the next two weeks. Over 70,000 samples have been sent back for genomic testing, which covers over 7,000 herds. This is a very positive start to the BDGP as it means that already 25% of participants have completed their genotyping requirement in the BDGP. A reminder letter will issue to farmers who have not yet sent back their samples by the end of next week. The online facility for recording animal survey data is now open and around 5,500 farmers have used this method to complete their surveys with this number expected to rise.

My Department and the ICBF are working closely with the scheme participants on the various requirements. I have asked Department officials, in conjunction with the ICBF and Teagasc, to hold information meetings for scheme participants and twelve of these are being organised nationwide. These meetings will enable participating farmers to have one to one consultations with Department, ICBF and Teagasc staff in order to query any aspect of the Programme and look at their own personal circumstances with regards to the requirements they will have to fulfil to ensure full compliance.

I have committed to a mid-term review of the operation of the programme, which will include input from all of the stakeholders, including farm organisations. For now, I would like to assure the nearly 30,000 farmers in the scheme of continued support over its lifetime from my Department, Teagasc and ICBF so that they may derive maximum benefit from the scheme for their farm.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Questions (103)

Denis Naughten

Question:

103. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants who have withdrawn from the beef data and genomics scheme in 2015 to date; who have re-applied to enter and have been granted permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35148/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, and will involve a budget of some €300m over a six year period. The BDGP is intended to improve the quality of the national suckler herd and deliver an accelerated improvement in the environmental sustainability of the beef herd through the application of genomics technology. To date 1,519 applicants have withdrawn from the Beef Data and Genomics Programme. 21 applicants have requested re-entry and all have been accepted.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Questions (104)

Denis Naughten

Question:

104. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications under the beef data and genomics scheme in 2015 to date by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35149/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, and will involve a budget of some €300m over a six year period. The BDGP is intended to improve the quality of the national suckler herd and deliver an accelerated improvement in the environmental sustainability of the beef herd through the application of genomics technology. The table sets out the number of applications received on a county by county basis. Officials in my Department are currently finalising the position regarding all applications received including withdrawals, of which there are approximately 1,500, and BVD compliance.

County	applications
Carlow	388
Cavan	1496
Clare	2294
Cork	2030
Donegal	1596
Dublin	76
Galway	3287
Kerry	1574
Kildare	369
Kilkenny	701
Laois	721
Leitrim	1186
Limerick	979
Longford	787
Louth	264
Mayo	2963
Meath	715
Monaghan	1084
Offaly	707
Roscommon	1730
Sligo	1156
Tipperary	1188
Waterford	425
Westmeath	888
Wexford	690
Wicklow	477
Total	29771

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (105)

Frank Feighan

Question:

105. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive payments for 2014 under the agri-environment options scheme. [35171/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department is currently examining approximately 400 cases that submitted invoices from one particular company to verify and support claims under the non-productive capital investment action of AEOS. It is known that in some cases the invoices submitted were for greater amounts than actually paid by the participants. Funding provided under the scheme comes partly from the EU and partly from the National Exchequer. There is a requirement and obligation to ensure that the expenditure claimed by scheme participants reflects the reality of what took place. For that reason my Department wrote to participants requesting alternative proof that the amounts claimed were in fact the amounts paid.

The person named above was written to on 15 June 2015 regarding the non-productive capital investment claim that they had submitted. This letter requested the submission of alternative verifiable proof to support one of the invoices that was included in each of the claims. A reply to this letter was received on 23 June 2015. My Department officials are now examining this case in light of the reply received and a decision will issue to the persons-named shortly.

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (106)

Frank Feighan

Question:

106. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive outstanding payments. [35172/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2015 Basic Payments/Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 20 April 2015. Processing of the application under the ANC scheme has recently been finalised. Payment is now issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named. In relation to the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that advance payments will commence to issue in Ireland on 16 October 2015, which is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations. In addition, I can confirm that the level of the advance payment is set at 70% for 2015 rather than the normal 50%. The increase in the advance payment for 2015 is, in particular, due to the difficulties encountered in the dairying and pigmeat sectors. Payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence in respect of applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors from 16 October 2015.

Defence Forces Deployment

Questions (107)

Clare Daly

Question:

107. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the extent of aid-to-the-civil-power duties for Defence Forces personnel per month in 2015 to date related to guarding United States of America military aircraft at Shannon and Baldonnel airports; the cost and numbers of personnel hours involved; and if he is satisfied with this arrangement. [34756/15]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.

The number of occasions per month this year that the Defence Forces have been requested to provide ATCP support to An Garda Síochána at Shannon Airport, and the costs incurred which comprise payment of Security Duty Allowance, provision of rations, and fuel, are set out in the following table:

Month	Number of Deployments	Costs Incurred
January	24	€15,316.59
February	34	€13,978.76
March	31	€15,398.63
April	21	€14,796.42
May	29	€15,375.19
June	30	€14,901.90
July	22	€15,293.15
August	21	€15,281.43
September	25	€14,843.30
Total	237	€135,185.37

For security and operational reasons, it would not be appropriate for me to disclose the number of military personnel deployed in response to such requests. Furthermore, the reason for each decision to seek support from the Defence Forces at Shannon Airport is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána.

Unlike Shannon Airport, Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel is a military installation which therefore has provision for its own internal security on an ongoing basis. As such, the question of An Garda Síochána seeking ATCP support at Casement Aerodrome does not arise.